CHURCH OF SAINT PETER IN CHAINS, ARDROSSAN  •  A Family of Parishes  •  SAINT BRIDE'S CHURCH, WEST KILBRIDE

                                                        

BULLETIN                                          27 DECEMBER 2020

FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY IN YEAR 2

SERVICES AND GATHERINGS
Because of the coronavirus pandemic, public Church services and gatherings are limited till further notice.
Father Duncan will live-stream Holy Mass every day and assures you of his prayers for you and your family.

A READING FROM THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO LUKE (Luke
2:22-40)
When the day came for them to be purified as laid down by the Law of Moses, the parents of Jesus took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, observing what stands written in the Law of the Lord - every first-born male must be consecrated to the Lord and also to offer in sacrifice, in accordance with what is said in the Law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons. Now in Jerusalem there was a man named Simeon. He was an upright and devout man. He looked forward to Israel's comforting and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death until he had set eyes on the Christ of the Lord. Prompted by the Spirit, he came to the Temple and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the Law required, he took him into his arms and blessed God and he said "Now, Master, you can let your servant go in peace, just as you promised because my eyes have seen the salvation which you have prepared for all the nations to see, a light to enlighten the pagans and the glory of your people Israel." As the child's father and mother stood there wondering at the things that were being said about him, Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother "'You see this child - he is destined for the fall and for the rising of many in Israel, destined to be a sign that is rejected - and a sword will pierce your own soul too so that the secret thoughts of many may be laid bare." There was a prophetess also, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well on in years. Her days of girlhood over, she had been married for seven years before becoming a widow. She was now eighty-four years old and never left the Temple, serving God night and day with fasting and prayer. She came by just at that moment and began to praise God and she spoke of the child to all who looked forward to the deliverance of Jerusalem. When they had done everything the Law of the Lord required, they went back to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. Meanwhile the child grew to maturity, and he was filled with wisdom and God's favour was with him.

REFLECTION
The Season of Christmas would better be called the Season of Epiphany or Revealing since over the next two weeks we have a set of feasts which show the unfolding of the mystery, of the answer to one simple question - just who is this baby born in Bethlehem? It started on Christmas night when the angels announced to shepherds that the baby born down in the village was their saviour. It continues today as Simeon and Anna recognise who this baby is - salvation and light and deliverance! There are more revelations about this child to come - to wise men from the East and in the waters of the river Jordan at his Baptism - as this Season unfolds. As we continue to think of Christ's coming among us, let us ask ourselves what we recognise in him, how is he our salvation, our light and our deliverance?

THE LORD'S DAY AT HOME
If you are housebound or self-isolating at this time, please use these prayers to unite yourself with the worship of the Universal Church, and your own parish, this Sunday. If alone, read or say these prayers quietly to yourself. If with another, or in a family, someone should read the Gospel and others respond. It might be suitable to find a special, quiet place at home for your Sunday prayers.

SAINT PETER'S AND SAINT BRIDE'S CHURCH SERVICES
 
Saint Peter's - All Masses are live-streamed and
                          public unless otherwise stated.
Saint Bride's - All Masses are public
                          unless otherwise stated.

Saturday 26 December  
Feast of Saint Stephen  

  
   
 
Feast of the Holy Family of  
Jesus, Mary and Joseph 

Holy Mass at 12 noon for George McGeehan who died recently and Jessie Brown at her anniversary
  Private

Vigil Mass at 5.30pm for Tom McKay, John Dolan and June Doherty at their anniversaries
 
Sunday 27 December  
Feast of the Holy Family of  
Jesus, Mary and Joseph  
Holy Mass at 10.30am for our parishes Holy Mass at 12.15pm for our parishes
Monday 28 December  
Feast of the Holy Innocents 
Holy Mass at 10.00am for Arturo and Cosimo Farro and Catherine (Kit) Kean at their anniversaries and Chrisey, Winnie and the McDonagh family  
Tuesday 29 December  
Memorial of Saint Thomas  
Beckett 

Holy Mass at 10.00am for Matt Donnelly who died recently, Monica Nicholson and Grant Mitchell as a special intention
  Private

Holy Mass at 10.00am
Wednesday 30 December  
Holy Mass at 10.00am for John Hendry, Theresa McGuire and Anthony and Theresa McGarvey at their anniversaries and Joanne and Neil Kirk  
Thursday 31 December 
Requiem Mass at 10.00am for Robert Montgomery  
Friday 1 January  
Solemnity of Mary, the Holy  
Mother of God  
Holy Mass at 10.00am for Lawrence and Theresa Tumilty at their anniversaries, Seamus Reilly senior, Agnes Madine (Dundee) and Katie McDonagh
Holy Mass at 12 noon

Saturday 2 January  
Memorial of Saints Basil and 
Gregory Nazianzen  


Solemnity of the Epiphany of  
the Lord  

Holy Mass at 12 noon for Brian and Lorna, Collette and Mark, Kathleen Harkness who died recently and Joe and Andrea Hulley
  Private

Vigil Mass at 5.30pm for Fiona and Andrew Upton, Joe McGhee who died recently and
Caleb Forrest at his anniversary and Maureen McGarvey
 

SAINT MARY'S AND SAINT JOHN'S CHURCH SERVICES
 

Saturday 26 December  
Feast of Saint Stephen  

Vigil Mass at 4.30pm  
Sunday 27 December  
Feast of the Holy Family of  
Jesus, Mary and Joseph  
Holy Mass at 10.00am

Holy Mass at 11.30am
Monday 28 December  
Feast of the Holy Innocents 
   
Tuesday 29 December  
Memorial of Saint Thomas  
Beckett 

Holy Mass at 10.00am  
Wednesday 30 December  
  Requiem Mass
Thursday 31 December 
   
Friday 1 January  
Solemnity of Mary, the Holy  
Mother of God  
Holy Mass at 11.00am Holy Mass at 11.00am

Saturday 2 January  
Solemnity of The Epiphany of  
the Lord  

Vigil Mass at 4.30pm Vigil Mass at 5.30pm

PRAYERS
Please remember in your prayers:
Anthony Brennan, Jim Boyle and Bernard and Margaret McIlvennie;
Joseph McKeraghan, Francis Fitzpatrick, Harry McKechan, Robert Montgomery, Matt Donnelly, Joe McGhee, George McGeehan who died recently;
Margaret Clarkson 2003, Molly Cosgrove 1994, Jim Lindsay 2013, Catherine McEvoy 2009, Arthur Robertson, Arturo Farro 1994, Catherine McCulloch 2012, Rose Murphy 2009, Thomas O'Connell 1957, May Shanks 1990, Maria Tomelty 2014, Patrick Cahill 2010, Kit Keen 2012, Mary Dorian Stirling 1999, Anna Ferrie 2014, John Hendry 2015, May Kelly 2016,Theresa McGarvey 2019, Alice Sibbald 2010, Terence Witt 2010, Alfonso Agostini 1955, Brian Connick 2010, Father Joseph Glendinning 1993, Catherine McAteer 2014, Joleen McIndoe 2015, William Twigg 1983, June Doherty 2010, Isabella Dougherty 2010, Charles Patrick Hendry 1967, Father Andrew Karwemera 2002, Lizzie Macnamara, James Murphy 1997, Thomas Bell 2019, Hugh Brown 1980, Susan Burns 1986, Maura Lapsley 2019 and May Rollie 2007 whose anniversaries occur at this time and those who are sick.
If deceased members of your family are not on our anniversary list, please tell Father Duncan
, the parish office or contact WebsiteAuthor@SaintPeterinChains.net. If members of your family or friends are in need of our prayers, please tell Father Duncan or the parish office.

THANK YOU FROM FATHER DUNCAN
I would like to say a really big Thank You to everyone who sent a card or a gift to the presbytery for Christmas. It was very much appreciated. Thank you for your thoughtfulness and for your generosity! God bless!


SAINT PETER'S NOTICES

MASS BOOKINGS
To book for Mass, please call the Parish Office on 01294 464063 between 9.00 and 11.00am on Mondays to Fridays.

REQUIEM MASS FOR ROBERT MONTGOMERY
Please pray for the Repose of the Soul of Robert Montgomery who died on 18 December 2020 aged eight-six years. His Requiem Mass on Thursday 31 December 2020 at 10.00am will be followed by his interment at Ardrossan Cemetery. May he rest in peace and rise in glory!

SINCERE THANKS FOR DONATIONS FOR THE CHURCH REPAIRS
I am very grateful to acknowledge the generous donations to Saint Peter's in the last weeks - £1200, £1000, £200, £200 and £200. Please accept my sincere thanks for all you do for our parish and for the upkeep of God's House. There are many lights burning brightly in the dark and gloom.

PARISH STEWARDSHIP
The Offertory collection last weekend amounted to £673.06 - many thanks. It is now possible to make online donations to Saint Peter's. Details are on the Donations page and this News page. Thanks for your generosity.

EMERGENCY ON-CALL FOR HOSPITALS
Father Duncan will be on the emergency on-call for the hospitals from 30 December until 3 January. Please keep all those in hospital in your thoughts and prayers.


USED POSTAGE STAMPS
We have been asked to donate our used postage stamps to fund Medical Science. Please hand your used stamps in to the Parish Office or give them to Alfie Agostini.

LIVE-STREAMING OF MASS
All our Celebrations of Mass and other services are live-streamed, starting five minutes beforehand. You can access them every day by going to our websites. On SaintPeterInChains.net, in the top right corner, click on Live Streaming at Mass Times. On SaintPeterInChains.co.uk, click Services in the red menu bar, select Mass Times then scroll down to Click here to view Mass.


SAINT BRIDE'S NOTICES

WEEKLY DONATION ENVELOPES
The envelopes will be available for collection from Sunday 27 December on the tables in the Hall. Please pick them up on your way out of Mass either on Sunday, Tuesday or Friday. Thank you.

PARISH STEWARDSHIP
The Offertory collection last weekend amounted to £195.00 - many thanks.

BOOKING FOR MASS Due to Tier 4 regulations of a maximum of twenty people, from 26 December it has become necessary to book for Mass. To book a Mass for next week, please call Phyllis on Saturday 26 December between 7.00 and 9.00pm on 01294 822320 or 07843 602745.


COVID SYMPTOMS
For the safety of everyone and to prevent spread of the Covid-19, please do not attend Church over Christmas if you have any unusual symptoms for example. headache, cold or flu-like symptoms. Of course, if you have any of the three classic symptoms of coronavirus - high temperature, persistent cough, loss of or change in sense of taste or smell - please self-isolate immediately and book a test. Thank you for your cooperation with all the public health measures in place.

NEW YEAR HOPE FOR 2021
Dear brothers and sisters - we are a community of memory that looks back. We are a community of Spirit that looks forward. It's important, though not easy, to look back with kindness and to look forward in hope. Let us hand over the past to God for his healing blessing. Let us ask the Lord to face the future with us because we do not want to face it alone.

FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY
Next Sunday, on the Solemnity of the Epiphany, we will bless the Chapel for our traditional house blessing - a blessing we really need at the beginning of a new year.




  

PRAYER FOR SPIRITUAL COMMUNION
My Jesus, I believe that you are present in this Holy Sacrament of the altar. I love you above all things and I passionately desire to receive you into my soul. Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally, come spiritually into my soul so that I may unite myself wholly to you now and forever. Amen.

WILL THE CHRIST CHILD COME?
One Christmas we had an interesting experience that I would like to share. Halfway through December, we were doing the regular evening things when there was a knock at the door. We opened it to find a small package with a beautiful ceramic lamb inside. We looked at the calendar and realised that the twelve days of Christmas were beginning! We waited excitedly for the next night's surprise and only then, with the gift of a matching shepherd, did we realised that the lamb was part of a nativity set. Each night we grew more excited to see what piece we would receive. Each was exquisitely beautiful. The children kept trying to catch the givers as we slowing built the scene at the manager and began to focus on Christ's birth. On Christmas Eve, all the pieces were in place, but the Baby Jesus. My twelve-year-old son really wanted to catch our benefactors and began to devise all kinds of ways to trap them. He ate his dinner in the mini-van watching and waiting but no one came. Finally, we called him in to go through our family's Christmas Eve traditions - but before the children went to bed we checked the front step. The was no Baby Jesus! Somehow, something was missing that Christmas Eve. There was a feeling that things weren't complete. The children went to bed and I put out Christmas but before I went to bed I again, checked to see if the Baby Jesus had come but no, the doorstep was empty. Missing that piece of the set seemed to have an odd effect. At least it changed my focus. I knew there were presents under the tree for me and I was excited to watch the children open their gifts but first on my mind was the feeling of waiting for the ceramic Christ Child. We had opened just about all of the presents when one of the children found one more for me buried deep beneath the branches of the tree. He handed me a small package from a former parishioner. This lady used to come to Church now and again. She had no family and she didn't get many gifts to open so I had always given her a small package - new dish towels, a good book - not much, but something for her to open. I was touched when at Church on the day before Christmas, she had given me this small package, saying it was just a token of her love and appreciation. As I took off the ribbon, I remembered my friendship with her and was filled with gratitude for knowing her and for her kindness in giving me a gift - but as the paper fell away, I began to tremble and cry. There in the small brown box was the Baby Jesus. He had come! I realised on that Christmas Day that Christ will come into our lives in ways that we don't expect. The spirit of Christ comes into our hearts as we serve one another. We had waited and watched for him to come, expecting the dramatic 'knock at the door and scurrying of feet' but he came in a small, simple package that represented service, friendship, gratitude and love. This experience taught me that the beginning of the true spirit of Christmas comes as we open our hearts and actively focus on the Saviour. More than that I want to open my heart to him all year that I may see him again.

JUST FOR A LAUGH ...
Hamish was in New York. He was patiently waiting and watching the traffic cop on a busy street crossing. The cop stopped the flow of traffic and shouted "Okay pedestrians". Then he'd allow the traffic to pass. He'd done this several times and Hamish still stood on the pavement. After the cop had shouted "Pedestrians" for the tenth time, Hamish went over to him and said "Is it not about time ye let the Catholics across?"

SUNDAY OBLIGATION
Sunday obligation to attend Holy Mass remains suspended for the time being and availability is restricted for those wishing to attend. Some of our parishioners are working during the week and can only attend at the weekend. Therefore, to make Holy Mass available to everyone we would be grateful if you wish to attend Mass and are able to attend on a weekday please do so, leaving seats for those parishioners working during the week. Thank you.

STANDING ORDERS - PLEASE THINK ABOUT IT
The parishes have taken quite a 'knock' through lockdown when public Mass was not available for sixteen weeks. This has had a huge impact on our parishes' finances. Could you consider taking out a Standing Order? It would be of great benefit to our parish. Forms are available from the Parish Office and here. Thank you

HOSPITAL CHAPLAINCY
If a member of your family or a friend is sick, please let us know and give us the details. Deacon Bill Corbett (01292 521208, 07904 248948, Rev.BillCorbett@btinternet.com) is the Chaplain to Crosshouse Hospital and is assisted by the Priest on call each week.


ADVERTISER SUPPORT
Our advertisers would welcome your support. We are grateful for their continuing sponsorship. We are grateful for the support of Mr and Mrs Sohal, Nisa Stores, Glasgow Street for the weekly donation of tea, coffee and milk for the Sunday teas.

PROTECTION OF CHILDREN AND VULNERABLE ADULTS - MISSION STATEMENT
The Catholic Church in Scotland is concerned with the lives, safety, wholeness and well-being of each individual person within God's purpose for everyone. It seeks to safeguard the welfare of people of all ages who are involved in whatever capacity
with the Church and its organisations. As a Church community, we accept that it is the responsibility of all of us, ordained, professed, paid and voluntary members, to work together to prevent the physical, sexual, emotional abuse or neglect of children, young people and vulnerable adults.